(YB Meta) A rough draft for a new path

[Ciaran]

Since there has been discussion of creating a sixth path, I brainstormed a new path during some dull hours this weekend. Here it is. Please tear it apart in any way you see fit; I hope it will be of some use.

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The Path of the Monk

Concept: The followers of the path of the monk are focused on their own personal development. Some strengthen their bodies while others focus on mystical arts, but all followers of the monk’s path hone their chi and follow ascetic practices that foster the growth of the spirit.

Progression and ranks
White Belt: No Ranks
Initiate: 0-2
Disciple: 0-4
Immaculate: 0-6
Master of Winds: 0-8
Master of Seasons: 0-10
Grand Master of Flowers: No ranks

Special Rules: Monks take a vow of poverty that forbids the acquisition of wealth and possessions. No monk can ever gain yen or personal items for any reason whatsoever. If a character switches to the path of the monk from another path, they lose all of their yen and any personal item(s) they may have.

Monks are vulnerable to both corruption and redemption, just as sashes are. Monks have 1 buffer rank below their 0 ranks called "Unfocused."

Special Powers and Abilities
Initiate: Signature Style, Outer Focus, Chi Strike
Disciple: Signature Location, Inner Focus, Shadow Kick
Immaculate: Purity of Focus, Stone Palm, Fist of Fury
Master of Winds: Signature Style, Mastery, Chi Strike
Master of Seasons: Signature Location, Mastery, Chi Strike
Grand Master of Flowers: Shadow Kick, Stone Palm, Perfect Defense, Supreme Master


Explanation of Powers
Outer Focus: If a fighter with Outer Focus wins a round in which his attack contains an adverb, he wins an extra point.

Inner Focus: If a fighter with Inner Focus loses a round in which his defense contains an adverb, he takes no damage and his opponent gains no points for winning the round.

Shadow Kick: Once per match per Shadow Kick possessed, the fighter may cancel a Chi Strike declared by the opposing fighter.

Stone Palm: After a Poison Blade or Fist of Fury has been declared, the monk may use a Stone Palm to negate that power. This may be done once per match per Stone Palm possessed. Like Purity of Focus, the Stone Palm may be used in a post separate from the generated move.

 

[Phoenix8008]

Jeez! This guy is built to fight ALL other paths! He can preemptively shut down tricks, knock out PB's, FoF's, and Chi Strike's, and has lots of Sig styles AND locs with Masteries to boot! I have no idea if it's balanced (it seems kinda over the top at first glance), but I know I'd love to try it out for a test run.

Maybe it just seems ultra powerful because it draws powers from so many other paths. I'll let others with more skill in disecting these things do so, as my initial response is usually just, "Ohhh, a new toy to play with! Let's try it!"

EDIT- Let me add this: I do like the overall path concept. I'm just woried it might have a little too much power.

 

[Knight Otu]

I do also think the monk might get a bit much... At least drop the location from the Initiate level and the style from disciple level. Maybe that is overreacting, I'm not sure.
At least the vow of poverty might keep a few things in line (but its hard on the sashes )

 

[Ciaran]

I've dropped a couple of styles from the early tiers as you suggested, Knight Otu. The monk actually needs to be back-loaded rather than front-loaded; the disadvantages from the vow of poverty only really kick in at the higher tiers, and the monk would need an extra power or two at those tiers to make up for the lack of a powered-up personal item. At the lower tiers, the monk should be balanced with the other paths.

Thanks for the comments, guys. Keep 'em coming!

 

[Ciaran]

With regard to Outer Focus and Inner Focus, could someone with access to the generator let me know what the probabilities are for adverbs to appear in the attack and defense portions of a move? I'd like to see how it stacks up against a signature style / location.

 

[reiella]

Adverbs are actually the most common special.

1 in 20 chance for an base attack adverb.
and a
1 in 60 chance for an adverb in attack special

1 in 40 chance for a defense adverb.
1 in 60 chance for a defense special adverb.

Totals to a 13 in 120 chance, or a little over 10% of the moves.

[ Edit / Add ]
It should also be noted that it is very possible to pull multiple adverbs in the same move.

 

[reiella]

Adverbs are actually the most common special.

1 in 20 chance for an base attack adverb.
and a
1 in 60 chance for an adverb in attack special

1 in 40 chance for a defense adverb.
1 in 60 chance for a defense special adverb.

Totals to a 13 in 120 chance, or a little over 10% of the moves.

[ Edit / Add ]
They're a denial power base.

Shadow Kick is pretty worthless, the only use it as is one tier later to the monk make use of their Fist of Fury.

Also given the Monk's sheer number of Chi Strikes, there's a fair chance it won't come into play at all.

They can effectively deny 3/4 of a Yakuza or a Dark Pather's powers between their Chi Strikes, single PoF, and Stone Palms.

Supreme Mastery is a bit strong to have regardless, and it is something I'd honestly like to see stay with the Honored Path as their trademark ability, seeing as they have nothing else that's unique.

- Add -
Vow of Poverty... Flavor more than not.
At this point it's extremely difficult to generate significant amounts of yen due to over 70% of the yen in the game system has 'retired'. It may become more significant if there's a resurgence in the number of sash fighters.

 

[Phoenix8008]

So, where is this Supreme Mastery power anyway? I can't find it in the rules anywhere. I must be blind.

Anyway, after further reflection, I realized that I don't like the powers keyed to adverbs. Not sure why though. I also don't know what else they could be keyed to instead.

I was thinking that the only thing they are missing is a defense against items specifically. This would help defend them from Sash's also. Maybe some power like a Chi Strike or PoF except that it only blocks/negates powers used from items. This could be used in place of some of their other powers (like maybe a couple of their many Chi Strikes). What do ya think?

 

[reiella]

One thing I've noticed, is just the number of active powers as opposed to passive.

Might just be because I focus on Yakuza however.

Supreme Mastery is the modifier grouping "Master of Supreme" (ie, the perfect, transcendant, etc modifiers).

 

[Phoenix8008]

Supreme Mastery is the modifier grouping "Master of Supreme" (ie, the perfect, transcendant, etc modifiers).

Duh! I knew that I was blind. Thanks Rei.